Two of the great mysteries of marriage and other intimate relationships are: (a) What makes them work? and (b) What makes them last? In my laboratory, we examine the actual interactions of couples as they discuss the events of their lives, attempt to resolve conflicts, and relive the pains and pleasures of their lives together. Our research indicates that many of the answers to the mysteries of marriage can be found in the ways couples express, regulate, and detect emotion. In particular, these answers are revealed in the minute details of the ways they talk about and experience emotion, their emotional facial expressions and other emotional behaviors, and the physiological changes that accompany their emotions. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of our findings from three decades of research studying young, middle-aged, and older couples; same sex and opposite sex couples; couples from different cultures; and couples dealing with late-life dementia.
Robert W. Levenson received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1974 in clinical psychology. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of CaliforniaâBerkeley where he is a member of the behavioral neuroscience, clinical science, developmental, and social/personality programs. He is the former Director of the Clinical Science Program. He currently serves as Director of the Institute for Personality and Social Research and directs the Predoctoral Training Consortium in Affective Science (an NIMH-funded multidisciplinary training program). His research program is in the area of human emotion, studying the organization of physiological, behavioral and subjective systems; the ways that these systems are impacted by neuropathology, normal aging, and culture; and the role that emotions play in the maintenance and disruption of committed relationships. Dr. Levensonâs research is supported by NIMH and NIA (including a recent MERIT award). He is past President of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and past President of the Association for Psychological Science.
This audio is part of the collection:Community Audio It also belongs to collection:
![[help]](/images/question.gif "[help]")